NFL draft 2024: Where Eagles pick in 1st, 2nd rounds, and players, positions to target

The NFL draft is three months away, but the Eagles are about to turn their attention to selecting players who can fill in holes in the roster for next season and many more to come.

That work begins in earnest with the East-West Shrine Bowl on Feb. 1. For the first time this season, underclassmen will be allowed to participate. That’s followed two days later by the Senior Bowl and then at the end of February at the NFL scouting combine in Indianapolis.

Newly drafted Philadelphia Eagles’ Jalen Carter, left, and Nolan Smith pose for a photo after a news conference at the NFL football team’s training facility, Friday, April 28, 2023, in Philadelphia.

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The Eagles could have needs all over the roster as three long-time veterans in Jason Kelce, Fletcher Cox and Brandon Graham aren’t expected back. Several other veterans can leave either in free agency or outright released.

And there should be plenty of roster turnover for a team with Super Bowl aspirations that ended the seasons with six losses in their last seven games after a 10-1 start.

Where do the Eagles pick in the first round?

The Eagles’ 32-9 loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the Wild Card Round of the playoffs set the Eagles first-round pick at No. 22. The last time the Eagles had the No. 22 pick was in 2019 when they selected left tackle Andre Dillard.

The last time they had a pick in the 20s was in 2020, when they took wide receiver Jalen Reagor at No. 21.

In 2021, the Eagles picked WR DeVonta Smith at No. 10 (they originally had the No. 6 spot), followed by DT Jordan Davis at No. 13 in 2022. Last spring, the Eagles had two first-round picks, taking DT Jalen Carter at No. 9 (they moved up from No. 10) and edge rusher Nolan Smith (No. 30).

What are the Eagles other picks in Rounds 2-7?

The Eagles are expected to have nine picks total in the seven-round draft. That includes an estimated four compensatory picks for losing free agents following the 2022 season. The comp picks begin after Round 3, so the exact order for the Eagles picks are only set through Rounds 1-3.

• Round 1, No. 22 overall
• Round 2, No. 50 overall (from New Orleans)
• Round 2, No. 53 overall
• Round 3, compensatory pick
• Round 5 (from Tampa Bay)
• Round 5, compensatory pick
• Round 5, compensatory pick
• Round 5, compensatory pick
• Round 6 (from Atlanta)

4 players the Eagles could target with 1st-round pick

Chop Robinson, edge, Penn State: Brandon Graham isn’t expected back and Haason Reddick is entering the final year of his contract. The Eagles did draft Nolan Smith last spring, but he wasn’t a major contributor. They need depth behind Reddick and Josh Sweat.

Kool-Aid McKinstry, CB, Alabama: The name aside, the Eagles are not expected to bring back James Bradberry. They haven’t drafted a cornerback in the first round since 2002. If the Eagles don’t sign a top free agent, they might have to find one in the draft.

Troy Franklin, WR, Oregon: Yes, the Eagles have a pair of 1,000 yard receivers in A.J. Brown ad DeVonta Smith. But a dependable third wide receiver never emerged from Quez Watkins, Julio Jones and Olamide Zaccheaus, all of whom are eligible for free agency.

Graham Barton, G, Duke: If Kelce is in fact retiring, then the Eagles will likely be moving Cam Jurgens to center, leaving an opening at right guard. The Eagles drafted Tyler Steen in the third round last year, but he’s a converted left tackle. And both Jack Driscoll and Sua Opeta will be eligible for free agency.

Contact Martin Frank at [email protected]. Follow on X @Mfranknfl.

This article originally appeared on Delaware News Journal: NFL draft 2024: Where Eagles pick in 1st, 2nd rounds, and players, positions to target